When adenoids need to be removed

A child's adenoids can sometimes become swollen or enlarged. This can happen after a bacterial or viral infection, or after a substance triggers an allergic reaction. In most cases, swollen adenoids only cause mild discomfort and treatment isn't needed. However, for some children, it can cause severe discomfort and interfere with their daily life. Adenoids mayneed to be removed if your child has: breathing problems your child may have difficulty breathing through their nose and may have to breathe through their mouth instead, which can cause problems such ascracked lips and a dry mouth difficulty sleeping your child may have problems sleeping and may start to snore; in severe cases,some children may develop sleep apnoea (irregular breathing during sleep and excessive sleepiness during the day) recurrent or persistent problems with the earssuch as middle ear infections (otitis media) or glue ear (where the middle ear becomes filled with fluid) recurrent or persistent sinusitis leading to symptoms such as a constantly runny nose, facial pain and nasal-sounding speech